An Experiment in Tropical Mesoscale Analysis: Part 2

Abstract

In Part 2 of the two-part paper, scale interaction between the large-scale wave and the BOMEX 26 July 1969 mesoscale system, is examined, primarily through the means of divergence, vertical motion, and mass flux computations. The mesoscale system was the dominant feature of most of the computational area. Vertical motions in the mesoscale system were an order of magnitude greater than those associated with the synoptic-scale wave. Compensatory sinking around the mesoscale system overwhelmed the synoptic-scale ascent. The integrated vertical mass flux in the mesoscale system was comparable to that produced by the synoptic-scale wave. A comparison is drawn between the 26 July mesoscale system and previously described tropical systems of similar short lifetimes. It is suggested that for small-scale systems to continue to intensify, a correspondingly strong concurrent large-scale forcing is a prerequisite.